Filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly

ABSTRACT

A filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly for an implantable active medical device is disclosed. The filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly includes a capacitor having an aperture, the capacitor is electrically grounded to an electrically conductive feedthrough ferrule or housing of the implantable active medical device. A terminal pin extends into the aperture and an electrically conductive continuous coil is disposed within the aperture and between the terminal pin and the capacitor. The electrically conductive continuous coil mechanically secures and electrically couples the terminal pin to the capacitor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/675,880filed Feb. 16, 2007, the contents of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a filtering capacitor feedthroughassembly for an implantable device.

BACKGROUND

Implantable active medical devices, such as cardiac disease rhythmmanagement devices (pacemakers and defibrillators) and a variety ofimplantable muscle/nerve stimulators generally include a battery andbattery-powered electronic pulse generator and may include a variety ofsending, processing, and telemetry circuits all contained within ahermetically sealed housing or case and attached to a lead connectorhousing or block. The lead connector block is often affixed to thehermetically sealed housing with brackets, metal solder, and/or amedical grade adhesive.

Electronics within the hermetically sealed housing are conductivelycoupled to the lead connector block with an electrical feedthroughassembly. Electrical feedthroughs serve the purpose of providing aconductive path extending between the interior of a hermetically sealedcontainer and a point outside the hermetically sealed housing. Theconductive path through the feedthrough usually includes a conductor pinor terminal that is electrically insulated from the hermetically sealedhousing. Feedthrough assemblies are known in the art to provide theconductive path and seal the electrical container from its ambientenvironment. Such feedthroughs include a ferrule, and an insulativematerial such as a hermetic glass or ceramic seal that positions andinsulates the pin within the ferrule. Sometimes it is desired that theelectrical device include a capacitor/filter within the ferrule andaround the terminal, thus shunting any electromagnetic interference(EMI) and other high frequencies radiation at the entrance to theelectrical device to which the feedthrough device is attached therebypreventing or substantially reducing EMI from entering the device. Thecapacitor electrically contacts the pin lead and the ferrule.

The pin lead/capacitor and capacitor/ferrule connection has been madeusing solder, weld, braze, and conductive adhesives. While thisarrangement has proven to be highly reliable, it involves a variety ofexpensive manufacturing processes and parts that necessarily increasethe cost of the resulting product.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a filtering capacitor feedthroughassembly for an active implantable device. A continuous coilmechanically secures and electrically couples a terminal pin tofiltering capacitor and/or a continuous coil mechanically secures andelectrically couples a filtering capacitor to a ferrule or housing.

In a first embodiment, a filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly for animplantable active medical device is disclosed. The filtering capacitorfeedthrough assembly includes a capacitor having an aperture, thecapacitor is electrically grounded to an electrically conductivefeedthrough ferrule or housing of the implantable active medical device.A terminal pin extends into the aperture and an electrically conductivecontinuous coil is disposed within the aperture and between the terminalpin and the capacitor. The electrically conductive continuous coilmechanically secures and electrically couples the terminal pin to thecapacitor.

In another embodiment, an implantable active medical device includes ahermetically sealed housing, electronics disposed within the sealedhousing, a lead connector attached to the hermetically sealed housing,and a filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly electrically connectingthe electronics and the lead connector. The filtering capacitorfeedthrough assembly includes a capacitor having an aperture and aterminal pin. The capacitor is electrically grounded to the hermeticallysealed housing. The terminal pin extends into the aperture and theterminal pin electrically connects the electronics and the leadconnector. An electrically conductive continuous coil is disposed withinthe aperture and between the terminal pin and the capacitor. Theelectrically conductive continuous coil mechanically securing andelectrically coupling the terminal pin to the capacitor.

In a further embodiment, a filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly foran implantable active medical device includes a capacitor having anaperture, where the capacitor is electrically grounded to anelectrically conductive feedthrough ferrule or housing of theimplantable active medical device with an electrically conductivecontinuous coil. A terminal pin extends into the aperture, and theterminal pin is mechanically secured and electrically coupled to thecapacitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an active medical device implantedwithin a human body;

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of an implantable active medicaldevice;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lead body shown in FIG.2 taken along line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an illustrativefiltering capacitor feedthrough assembly;

FIG. 5A is a top view of an illustrative continuous coil utilized in afiltering capacitor feedthrough assembly;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view of the continuous coil and shownin FIG. 5A; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an illustrativemulti-pin filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers used in thefigures refer to like components. However, it will be understood thatthe use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is notintended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the samenumber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way ofillustration several specific embodiments. It is to be understood thatother embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the present invention. The followingdetailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonlyused in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions providedherein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequentlyherein and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes,amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claimsare to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term“about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numericalparameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claimsare approximations that can vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing theteachings disclosed herein.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numberssubsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3,3.80, 4, and 5) and any range within that range.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having pluralreferents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used inthis specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generallyemployed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearlydictates otherwise.

The term “active implantable medical device” includes, for example, acardiac pacemaker, an implantable defibrillator, a congestive heartfailure device, a hearing implant, a cochlear implant, aneurostimulator, a drug pump, a ventricular assist device, an insulinpump, a spinal cord stimulator, an implantable sensing system, a deepbrain stimulator, an artificial heart, an incontinence device, a vagusnerve stimulator, a bone growth stimulator, or a gastric pacemaker, andthe like.

The terms “hermetic seal” and “hermetically sealed” are usedinterchangeably and refer to an airtight seal. This term is often usedto describe electronic parts that are designed and intended to secureagainst the entry of microorganisms, water, oxygen, and the like, and tomaintain the safety and quality of their contents.

The present disclosure relates to a filtering capacitor feedthroughassembly for an implantable device. In particular, this disclosure isdirected to the use of a continuous coil to mechanically connect afeedthrough pin or terminal to a filtering capacitor and enable anelectrical pathway between the capacitor and the feedthrough pin orterminal. This disclosure is also directed to the use of a continuouscoil to mechanically connect a filtering capacitor to a ferrule ordevice housing and enable an electrical ground pathway between thecapacitor and the ferrule or device housing. While the present inventionis not so limited, an appreciation of various aspects of the inventionwill be gained through a discussion of the examples provided below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an active medical device 20 implantedwithin a human body or patient 28. The implanted active medical device20 is illustrated as a neurostimulator, however, the implanted activemedical device 20 can be any “active implantable medical device” asdescribed above and can be placed in any suitable location within a bodycavity.

The illustrated active medical device 20 includes a lead extension 22having a proximal end coupled to the active medical device 20, and alead 24 having a proximal end coupled to a distal end 32 of the leadextension 22 and a distal end of the lead 24 coupled to one or moreelectrodes 26. In other embodiments, the lead 24 proximal end is coupledto the active medical device 20, without a need for a lead extension 22.The active medical device 20 can be implanted in any useful region ofthe body such as in the abdomen of a patient 28, and the lead 24 isshown placed somewhere along the spinal cord 30. In many embodiments,the active medical device 20 has one or two leads each having four toeight electrodes, as desired. Such a system may also include a physicianprogrammer and a patient programmer (not shown). The active medicaldevice 20 can be considered to be an implantable signal generator of thetype available from Medtronic, Inc. and capable of generating multiplesignals occurring either simultaneously or one signal shifting in timewith respect to the other, and having independently varying amplitudesand signal widths. The active medical device 20 contains a power sourceand the electronics for sending precise, electrical signals to thepatient to provide the desired treatment therapy. While the activemedical device 20, in many embodiments, provides electrical stimulationby way of signals, other forms of stimulation may be used as continuousor discontinuous electrical stimulation, as desired.

In many embodiments, the lead 24 is a wire having insulation thereon andincludes one or more insulated electrical conductors each coupled attheir proximal end to a connector and to contacts/electrodes 26 at itsdistal end. Some leads are designed to be inserted into a patientpercutaneously (e.g. the Model 3487A PISCES-QUAD® type lead availablefrom Medtronic, Inc.), and some are designed to be surgically implanted(e.g. Model 3998 SPECIFY® type lead, also available form Medtronic,Inc.). In some embodiments, the lead 24 may contain a paddle at itsdistant end for housing electrodes 26. In many embodiments, electrodes26 may include one or more ring contacts at the distal end of lead 24.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the implantable active medicaldevice described above and FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view ofthe lead extension 100 shown in FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3. Theillustrated implantable active medical device includes a lead extension100 configured to be coupled between an implantable active medicaldevice 102 and the lead 104. The proximal portion of lead extension 100includes a lead connector 107 configured to be received or plugged intohousing lead connector 105 of an implantable active medical device 102through a hermetically sealed housing 109 of the implantable activemedical device 102 via a feedthrough assembly described below. Thedistal end of the lead extension 100 includes a connector 110 includinginternal contacts 111 and is configured to receive a proximal end oflead 104 having contacts 112 thereon. The distal end of the lead 104includes distal electrodes 114 that are in electrical connection withcorresponding contacts 112.

One illustrative lead extension 100 has a diameter of approximately 0.1inch, which can be larger than that of lead 104 so as to make extension100 more durable than lead 104. The lead extension 100 can differ fromlead 104 in that each filer 106 in the lead body is helically wound orcoiled in its own lumen 108 and not co-radially wound with the rest ofthe filers as can be the case in lead 104. The diameter of the lead canbe approximately 0.05 inch. This diameter can be based upon the diameterof the needle utilized in the surgical procedure to deploy the lead andupon other clinical anatomical requirements. The length of such lead canbe based upon other clinical anatomical requirements and can be 28centimeters; however, other lengths are utilized to meet particularneeds of specific patients and to accommodate special implant locations.

The active medical device 102 includes a hermetically sealed housing 109defining a sealed housing interior. A battery and electronics are inelectrical communication and are disposed within the sealed housing 109interior. Battery and electronics 103 are illustrated schematically inFIG. 2 as a ‘black box’ within housing 109 interior. The electronicswithin the hermetically sealed housing 109 are conductively coupled tothe lead connector block 105 with an electrical feedthrough assembly(described below). Electrical feedthroughs serve the purpose ofproviding a conductive path extending between the interior of ahermetically sealed housing 109 and the lead connector block 105attached to the housing 109. The conductive path through the feedthroughassembly includes a conductor pin or terminal pin that is electricallyinsulated from the hermetically sealed housing 109. The feedthrough alsoinclude a ferrule, and an electrically insulating material such as ahermetic glass or ceramic seal that positions and insulates the pinwithin the ferrule. Filtered feedthroughs include a capacitor within theferrule and around the terminal pin to shunt any electromagneticinterference (EMI) at high frequencies at the entrance to the electricaldevice to which the feedthrough device is attached. The capacitorelectrically contacts the terminal pin (with active plates) and theferrule (with ground plates). The terminal pin electrically connects theelectronics within the sealed housing to the lead connector.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an illustrativefiltering capacitor feedthrough assembly 200. The filtering capacitorfeedthrough assembly 200 includes a capacitor 210 having an aperture 215defined by an inner surface 216 of the capacitor 210. In manyembodiments, the aperture 215 extends all the way through the capacitor210 forming a cylindrical lumen or cylindrical aperture through thecapacitor 210. In some embodiments, the aperture 215 defines a ledge 217within the aperture 215 creating a cylindrical lumen having a firstlumen diameter and a second lumen diameter, where the first lumendiameter is less than the second lumen diameter. The inner surface 216of the capacitor 210 is in electrical contact with active plates 211within the capacitor 210. An outer surface 218 of the capacitor 210 isin electrical contact with ground plates 212 within the capacitor 210. Asingle active plate 211 and a single ground plate 212 is illustrated,however it is understood that the capacitor 210 includes a plurality ofactive plates 211 and ground plates 212 as is known in the art.

A terminal pin 230 extends into the aperture 215 of the capacitor 210.In many embodiments, the terminal pin 230 extends through the aperture215 of the capacitor 210. An electrically conductive continuous coil 240is disposed within the aperture 215 and between and in contact with boththe terminal pin 230 and the capacitor 210. The electrically conductivecontinuous coil 240 mechanically secures and electrically couples theterminal pin 230 to the capacitor 210 inner surface 216. In manyembodiments, the electrically conductive continuous coil 240 has aninner diameter R_(D) (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) slightly less than an outerdiameter of the terminal pin 230 and the terminal pin 230 is disposedwithin the inner diameter R_(D) of the continuous coil 240. Thus, thecontinuous coil 240 is axially or radially disposed about the terminalpin 230.

In embodiments where a ledge 217 is within the aperture 215, theconductive continuous coil 240 is disposed on or adjacent to the ledge217. In some embodiments, the conductive continuous coil 240 is fixed tothe terminal pin 230 and/or the inner surface 216 of the capacitor 210.The conductive continuous coil 240 can be fixed with any useful methodor material such as, for example, solder, weld, braze, and/or conductiveadhesive.

The terminal pin 230 extends through the ferrule 220 or housing 221 andthe terminal pin 230 is in a non-conductive relation to the ferrule 220or housing 221. An insulator 225 is disposed between the terminal pin230 and the ferrule 220 or housing 221. The insulator 225 is disposedfixed to the terminal pin 230 and the ferrule 220 or housing 221 withsolder, weld, braze, and/or adhesive 226, as desired to provide ahermetic seal. An optional second insulator 227 is disposed within theferrule 220 or housing 221 and adjacent to the capacitor 210.

The outer surface 218 of the capacitor 210 is electrically grounded toan electrically conductive feedthrough ferrule 220 or housing 221 of theimplantable active medical device. In some embodiments, an electricallyconductive continuous coil 250 is disposed between the outer surface 218of the capacitor 210 and the electrically conductive feedthrough ferrule220 or housing 221. The electrically conductive continuous coil 250mechanically secures and electrically couples the capacitor 210 to theelectrically conductive feedthrough ferrule 220 or housing 221. In manyembodiments, the electrically conductive continuous coil 250 has anouter diameter slightly greater than an inner diameter or circumferenceof the electrically conductive feedthrough ferrule 220 or housing 221.Thus, the continuous coil 250 is axially or radially disposed about thecapacitor 210. In some embodiments, a ledge 219 is defined by the outersurface 218 of the capacitor 210 and the conductive continuous coil 250is disposed on or adjacent to the ledge 219.

While only one continuous coil 240 or 250 is shown mechanically securingand electrically coupling adjacent surfaces, two or more continuouscoils 240 or 250 can mechanically secure and electrically coupleadjacent surfaces, as desired. In addition, solder, weld, braze orconductive adhesive can be placed adjacent to continuous coil 240 or 250to assist in mechanically securing and electrically coupling adjacentsurfaces, as desired.

FIG. 5A is a top view of an illustrative continuous coil utilized in thefiltering capacitor feedthrough assembly described herein. FIG. 5B is across-sectional view of the continuous coil shown in FIG. 5A. In manyembodiments, the continuous coil is formed of a conductive wire 245helically wound to form an annular ring referred to herein as acontinuous coil. The continuous coil has an inner diameter R_(D) and acoil diameter C_(D). In many embodiments, the terminal pin (describedabove) is disposed within the inner diameter of the continuous coil(e.g., coil 240 of FIG. 4) and compresses the continuous coil diameterC_(D) against the inner surface of the capacitor aperture (describedabove) to form the mechanical interference fit and conductive contactbetween the terminal pin and the capacitor. In many embodiments, thecapacitor outer surface (described above) is disposed within the innerdiameter of the continuous coil (e.g., coil 250 of FIG. 4) andcompresses the continuous coil diameter C_(D) against the inner surfaceof the housing or ferrule (described above) to form the mechanicalinterference fit and conductive (ground) contact between the capacitorand the housing or ferrule.

The inner diameter R_(D) and the 2×(coil diameter C_(D)) equals an outerdiameter of the continuous coil. The continuous coil is shown in anuncompressed state where the coil diameter C_(D) has a substantiallycircular form, in a compressed state (axial compression as shown by thearrows C_(D)) the coil diameter C_(D) distends or elastically deforms toan oval form (see FIG. 4). Compressing the continuous coil betweenadjacent surfaces mechanically secures and electrically couples adjacentsurfaces via an interference elastic axial compression fit of thecontinuous coil diameter C_(D). As the continuous coil is compressedbetween adjacent surfaces, the coil will also cant or deflect up to 40%.In many embodiments, the working deflection of the continuous coil isfrom 10 to 35%.

The continuous coil can have any useful dimensions. In many terminal pinto capacitor embodiments, the continuous coil has an inner diameterR_(D) in a range from 150 to 800 micrometers, or 250 to 750 micrometers,or 350 to 550 micrometers and a coil diameter C_(D) in a range from 250to 500 micrometers, or 325 to 425 micrometers and an outer diameter in arange from 750 to 1750 micrometers, or from 1000 to 1400 micrometers anda wire diameter in a range from 25 to 100 micrometers. In many capacitorto ferrule embodiments, the continuous coil has an inner diameter R_(D)suitable to extend around the capacitor in a range from 500 to 5000micrometers and a wire diameter in a range from 100 to 1000 micrometers.The continuous coil can be formed of any useful conductive material suchas metals, for example, gold, silver, titanium, stainless steel,platinum, copper, and alloys or mixtures thereof.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an illustrativemulti-pin or multipolar filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly 201. Inthis embodiment, six terminal pins 230 are disposed through thefeedthrough assembly 201. The first terminal pin 230 is now described.The five remaining pins 230 have a substantially similar description andis not repeated but understood to be the same as the first terminal pin230 assembly.

The filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly 201 includes a capacitor210 having a plurality of apertures 215 defined by an inner surface 216of the capacitor 210. In many embodiments, the apertures 215 extend allthe way through the capacitor 210 forming a plurality of cylindricallumens through the capacitor 210. The inner surface 216 of the capacitor210 is in electrical contact with active plates within the capacitor210. An outer surface 218 of the capacitor 210 is in electrical contactwith ground plates within the capacitor 210.

A terminal pin 230 extends into each corresponding aperture 215 of thecapacitor 210. In many embodiments, the terminal pin 230 extends throughthe aperture 215 of the capacitor 210. One or more electricallyconductive continuous coils 240 are disposed within the aperture 215 andbetween the terminal pin 230 and the capacitor 210. The electricallyconductive continuous coils 240 mechanically secure and electricallycouple the terminal pins 230 to the capacitor 210 inner surface 216. Inmany embodiments, the electrically conductive continuous coils 240 havean inner diameter (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) slightly less than an outerdiameter of the terminal pins 230. Thus, the continuous coil 240 isaxially disposed about the terminal pin 230. In some embodiments, theconductive continuous coils 240 are fixed to the corresponding terminalpin 230 or inner surface 216 of the capacitor 210. The conductivecontinuous coils 240 can be fixed with any useful method or materialsuch as, for example, solder, weld, braze or conductive adhesive.

The terminal pin 230 extends through the ferrule 220 and housing 221 andis in a non-conductive relation to the ferrule 220 and housing 221. Aninsulator 225 is disposed between the terminal pin 230 and the ferrule220. The insulator 225 is disposed fixed to the terminal pin 230 and theferrule 220 with solder, weld, braze or adhesive 226, as desired toprovide a hermetic seal.

The outer surface 218 of the capacitor 210 is electrically grounded toan electrically conductive feedthrough ferrule 220 of the implantableactive medical device. In some embodiments, an electrically conductivecontinuous coil 250 is disposed between the outer surface 218 of thecapacitor 210 and the electrically conductive feedthrough ferrule 220.The electrically conductive continuous coil 250 mechanically secures andelectrically couples the capacitor 210 to the electrically conductivefeedthrough ferrule 220. In many embodiments, the electricallyconductive continuous coil 250 has an outer diameter slightly greaterthan an inner diameter of the electrically conductive feedthroughferrule 220. Thus, the continuous coil 250 is axially disposed about thecapacitor 210.

In this embodiment, one, two and three continuous coils 240 are shownmechanically securing and electrically coupling adjacent surfaces, anynumber of continuous coils can mechanically secure and electricallycouple adjacent surfaces, as desired. In addition, solder, weld, brazeor conductive adhesive 228 can be placed adjacent to continuous coils240 or 250 to assist in mechanically securing and electrically couplingadjacent surfaces, as desired.

Utilization of the continuous coils described herein, provides a robustmechanical interference compression attachment between surfaces withinthe filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly. The continuous coils canfunction as a strain relief structure during feedthrough pin deflection.In addition the continuous coils described herein provide a multitude ofelectrical connections between the terminal pin and the capacitor and/orthe capacitor and the housing or ferrule.

Thus, embodiments of the FILTERING CAPACITOR FEEDTHROUGH ASSEMBLY aredisclosed. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the presentinvention can be practiced with embodiments other than those disclosed.The disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration andnot limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claimsthat follow.

1. A filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly for an implantable activemedical device comprising: a capacitor having an aperture, the capacitorelectrically grounded to an electrically conductive feedthrough ferruleor housing of the implantable active medical device; a terminal pinextending into the aperture; and an electrically conductive continuouscoil disposed within the aperture between the terminal pin and thecapacitor, the continuous coil being fixed to the terminal pin and thecapacitor with solder, weld, braze or conductive adhesive, thecontinuous coil comprising an inner diameter defined by a plurality ofcoils, each coil having a coil diameter different than the innerdiameter, with the terminal pin extending through the inner diameter ofthe continuous coil so that the plurality of coils circumferentiallysurround the terminal pin, the electrically conductive continuous coilmechanically securing and electrically coupling the terminal pin to thecapacitor.
 2. A filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the continuous coil is compressed between the terminalpin and the capacitor.
 3. A filtering capacitor feedthrough assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the plurality of coils are canted.
 4. Afiltering capacitor feedthrough assembly according to claim 1,comprising two or more continuous coils disposed within the aperture andbetween the terminal pin and the capacitor, and mechanically securingand electrically coupling the terminal pin to the capacitor.
 5. Afiltering capacitor feedthrough assembly according to claim 1, furthercomprising a conductive adhesive, solder, or braze disposed within theaperture.
 6. A filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the aperture defines a ledge and the continuous coil isdisposed on the ledge.
 7. A filtering capacitor feedthrough assemblyaccording to claim 1, further comprising a second electricallyconductive continuous coil disposed between the capacitor and theelectrically conductive feedthrough ferrule or housing of theimplantable active medical device, the second electrically conductivecontinuous coil mechanically securing and electrically coupling thecapacitor and the electrically conductive feedthrough ferrule or housingof the implantable active medical device.
 8. An implantable activemedical device comprising: a hermetically sealed housing; electronicsdisposed within the sealed housing; a lead connector attached to thehermetically sealed housing; and a filtering capacitor feedthroughassembly electrically connecting the electronics and the lead connector,the filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly comprising: a capacitorhaving an aperture, the capacitor electrically grounded to thehermetically sealed housing; a terminal pin extending into the aperture,the terminal pin electrically connecting the electronics and the leadconnector; and an electrically conductive continuous coil disposedwithin the aperture between the terminal pin and the capacitor, thecontinuous coil being fixed to the terminal pin and the capacitor withsolder, weld, braze or conductive adhesive, the continuous coilcomprising an inner diameter defined by a plurality of coils, each coilhaving a coil diameter different than the inner diameter, with theterminal pin extending through the inner diameter of the continuous coilso that the plurality of coils circumferentially surround the terminalpin, the electrically conductive continuous coil mechanically securingand electrically coupling the terminal pin to the capacitor.
 9. Animplantable active medical device according to claim 8, wherein thecontinuous coil is compressed between the terminal pin and thecapacitor.
 10. An implantable active medical device according to claim8, wherein the plurality of coils are canted.
 11. An implantable activemedical device according to claim 8, comprising two or more continuouscoils disposed within the aperture and between the terminal pin and thecapacitor, and mechanically securing and electrically coupling theterminal pin to the capacitor.
 12. An implantable active medical deviceaccording to claim 8, further comprising a conductive adhesive, solder,or braze disposed within the aperture.
 13. An implantable active medicaldevice according to claim 8, wherein the aperture defines a ledge andthe electrically conductive continuous coil is disposed on the ledge.14. An implantable active medical device according to claim 8, furthercomprising a second electrically conductive continuous coil disposedbetween the capacitor and the hermetically sealed housing, the secondelectrically conductive continuous coil mechanically securing andelectrically coupling the capacitor and the hermetically sealed housing.